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VanMoof’s new S6 e-bikes fix everything but trust
Product Reviews

VanMoof’s new S6 e-bikes fix everything but trust

by admin


VanMoof, the poster child of bikeaggedon, just launched the first e-bikes developed under new leadership following its 2023 bankruptcy sale to McLaren Applied. The bikes were supposed to be revealed tomorrow, but a link provided to an early access program has resulted in the details leaking early.

The new S6 Series — which I briefly rode just a few hours ago — makes an excellent first impression. The real trick will be convincing riders to pay €3,298 for the promise of longevity. That’s why the company is covering the S6 and low-stepover S6 Open with an extended three-year warranty as it tries to regain the trust squandered by the company’s departed co-founders.

I spent just 15 minutes riding a pre-production S6, but it already addresses almost every issue I’ve ever had with VanMoof e-bikes. It shifts smoothly and intuitively without any audible clinks; the light bars that show battery and power levels are bright and easy to understand; and the gimmicks and sounds (including startup and motion alerts) have been toned down to be less embarrassing and annoying. Overall, it’s a very pleasant and relaxed ride.

The blue S6 Open (don’t call it the A6) next to the mint S6. Photo by Thomas Ricker / The Verge

Same VanMoof brand, now under McLaren Applied’s leadership. Photo by Thomas Ricker / The Verge

The dashboard when using the Peak Design mount and phone case. Photo by Thomas Ricker / The Verge

The new suspension seatpost is optional and works on older VanMoofs. Photo by Thomas Ricker / The Verge

On the outside, the new S6 series looks nearly identical to the existing S5 and A5 models, which were first announced in 2022 and re-released in 2024 by the new company. But it’s what’s inside that counts, especially when it comes to long-term serviceability. That includes new modular wiring to make each redesigned component easier to service, all benefiting from the engineering, analysis, and control expertise of McLaren Applied.

“We looked at every element of our line-up and made improvements,” says new co-CEO Eliott Wertheimer in a statement. “This goes from security, reliability and connectivity, but also, and most notably, the overall riding experience. The moment you get on a bike from the S6 Series, you will immediately notice the difference: the entire ride is smoother, more responsive and more intuitive than anything we’ve released before. Combined with improved reliability and serviceability, this makes the S6 Series our ultimate bike.”

The S6 e-bikes see a return of VanMoof favorites like the Boost button, integrated Kick Lock, and front and rear lighting integrated into the iconic frame. I can’t comment on the boost improvements yet as the power delivery from the 250W font-hub motor was still being tuned on my test bike, but the Kick Lock does have a larger sweet spot, making it easier to engage on the rear wheel.

New for the S6 is an “extremely reliable” three-speed AutoShift hub that replaces the wonky e-shifter found in S5 and S3 series of VanMoofs. The hub uses angular momentum to automatically shift gears as rotational speed increases. That makes the automatic shifting 100 percent mechanical just like VanMoof’s e-bikes from 2019 — no problematic electronics required.

Shifting gear on the S6 felt smooth, accurate, and intuitive in my limited testing, no matter how hard I mashed down on the pedals. I’ll hold final judgement on the shifter for my review coming later this summer, but it sure seems like the new VanMoof has finally found a transmission that begins to compete with the likes of Enviolo. Unfortunately, there’s still no option for a belt-drive.

The S6 series also features a new custom Slimlink phone mount co-designed with Peak Design. It’s included in the box with every purchase but can be left off the final assembly since not everyone will want to buy a compatible case. Optionally, you can add a suspension seatpost with an adjustable 30mm of travel to help dampen rough city terrain. That comfy seatpost is also backward compatible with older VanMoofs including the S5 and A5 models.

1/12The S6 Open and S6 behind it. Photo by Thomas Ricker / The Verge

VanMoof’s anti-theft system is also returning with more granular location tracking to help the company’s bike hunting service — they recover your stolen e-bike within 14 days or replace it for free. A full year of the service is included in the purchase price of the S6 series. After that you can pay up, or rely upon Apple’s integrated Find My service and your own bike insurance.

And just like VanMoofs of old, the battery is still integrated with the frame. The custom-designed (and slightly larger) 487Wh Panasonic battery can be removed for service but otherwise has to remain in the bike, where it can be charged from 25 to 100 percent in a slow four hours by the included 48V / 2A charger. The taller S6 is fitted with 27.5 inch wheels and weighs 23.5kg (51.8lbs), while the 22.5kg (49.6lbs) S6 Open with its 24-inch wheels is designed to fit smaller riders. Either way that’s a lot of unwieldy weight to carry up and down stairs for charging.

VanMoof calls the S6 series its “most reliable, intuitive, and fun ride so far.” I can vouch for two of the three points, but reliability is something that requires time to prove out.

The company is currently partnered with some 250 bike shops for service (and 130 sales partners) in a network that covers 13 countries and continues to expand since launching in 2024. You’d be wise to check for local service availability before buying a VanMoof or any direct-to-consumer e-bike, for that matter. Service is an inevitability, how much and how easy are the variables, and VanMoof 2.0 seems to be taking the right steps to minimize unexpected trips to the bike shop.

The VanMoof S6 and S6 Open are available to reserve now with a fully-refundable €150 deposit. Some VanMoof partner bike shops will have S6 bikes available for test rides before deliveries begin to paying customers in August. The S6 series is available in “electric blue,” black, and “pearl mint” (my personal favorite) colors at launch in the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Belgium — Europe’s largest e-bike markets — with UK sales starting “later this year.” Once VanMoof’s European operations are under control, it’ll look to expand elsewhere, including a return to the US.





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The $40 billion scam economy and the architecture of trust
Crypto Trends

The $40 billion scam economy and the architecture of trust

by admin



Disclosure: The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to the author and do not represent the views and opinions of crypto.news’ editorial.

Southeast Asia’s digital economy is booming—but so is its illicit underground. Findings from a recent UN report estimate that scam networks across East and Southeast Asia now generate nearly $40 billion annually. These criminal syndicates exploit weak infrastructure, regulatory fragmentation, and gaps in digital verification, scaling faster than law enforcement can keep up.

However, the challenge isn’t just economic loss; it’s about the erosion of trust in digital systems. As digital replicas become indistinguishable from reality and AI-generated content further blurs the line between authentic and artificial, existing systems are ill-equipped to anchor verification in increasingly fluid digital spaces. No longer just confined to a region, this crisis now transcends Southeast Asia and into Africa, Latin America, and beyond, exploiting an inherent fragility of incumbent infrastructure built on passwords, static identifiers, and centralized verification.

The rapid adoption of digital technologies has outpaced the development of secure and verifiable systems, leading to an environment where trust is continuously eroded. To counter this, future-proofing the architecture of digital trust is more critical than ever to rebuild legitimacy and reclaim confidence in the digital space.

The dissolving boundaries of digital trust

As our existence increasingly straddles physical and digital realms, more than 70% of consumers in Asia-Pacific are now concerned about privacy and data sharing. The rise of cybercrime targeting vulnerable populations has created a new form of disenfranchisement:  those without secure identity systems become prey in the digital realm that privileges the technologically sophisticated.

Malaysia alone lost a staggering $12.8 billion to scams in 2024, equivalent to 3% of the nation’s GDP. These losses demonstrate that secure digital identity verification isn’t just a convenience; it has become an essential economic infrastructure that protects citizens from exploitation. Yet as digital adoption rises, public trust continues to decline, eroding system legitimacy and putting long-term adoption at risk.

The lack of a coordinated, verifiable “trust layer” across economies is more than just a technical shortcoming, and it’s become a systemic vulnerability. Governments and institutions must prioritize building interoperable systems that can ensure identity authenticity and transactional integrity. Without a robust digital trust framework, progress in the digital economy will remain vulnerable to exploitation.

The sovereignty paradox in borderless spaces

While the internet was conceived as a borderless commons, the proliferation of digital crime forces us to reconsider the role of sovereign boundaries in cyberspace. National digital infrastructure initiatives like the Malaysia MyDigital ID SuperApp, powered by Zetrix, a public permissioned layer-1 blockchain, provide a compelling middle path: one that respects sovereign authority while establishing protocols for cross-border verification.

The collaboration between Malaysia’s blockchain infrastructure and China’s Xinghuo BIF through Zetrix demonstrates how nations can maintain digital sovereignty while creating interoperable systems that facilitate cross-border communication. Malaysia’s leadership in launching the Malaysia Blockchain Infrastructure (MBI), a state-backed initiative that supports interoperability across Ethereum (ETH) and enterprise systems, exemplifies a new paradigm where digital infrastructure not only protects national interests but also fosters regional connectivity.

This model of sovereign interoperability provides a template for addressing borderless crime while respecting national digital autonomy. Moreover, this approach elevates blockchain from a financial tool to a core component of sovereign digital infrastructure, aligning it with long-term national strategies to secure economic and social stability.

Rebuilding digital legitimacy: Prioritizing interoperability beyond decentralization

The Malaysia Blockchain Infrastructure represents a hybrid model merging democratic access with sovereign assurance. This third path demonstrates how sovereign backing can provide an essential trust layer, while blockchain technology delivers the verification systems needed to support it.

It acknowledges that while purely private blockchain solutions lack sufficient authority for mass adoption, completely centralized systems sacrifice the transparency and resilience that make blockchain valuable. As Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, it has a unique opportunity to elevate digital trust as a regional priority. Through discussions and forums, Malaysia can position blockchain not as hype, but as a foundational layer for ASEAN’s digital economy ambitions.

Establishing sovereign blockchain as common ground

The digital future of Southeast Asia hinges not on how fast the region innovates, but on whether it can build systems that people trust. Fragmented infrastructure, regulatory gaps, and rising cybercrime require a nimble solution that coalesces piecemeal innovation into coordinated, sovereign-backed digital infrastructure.

Blockchain, when deployed at a national level with public interest in mind, offers a pathway to rebuild legitimacy in the digital age. It moves beyond financial speculation and into the realm of essential public infrastructure, which becomes a tool for economic resilience, societal stability, and digital trust.

Dato’ Fadzli Shah

Dato’ Fadzli Shah is the co-founder of Zetrix and a passionate advocate for blockchain with extensive experience in tech, startup, venture capital, and national development sectors. His remarkable career includes key roles such as Chief Strategy Officer for the Malaysia Digital Economy (MDEC) and early investor in South East Asia’s most prominent fintech and crypto startups. He has graduated from three prestigious universities, namely the University College of London, London Business School, and Harvard University.



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Julie Stitzel
NFT Gaming

Want Americans to Trust AI? Decentralize It

by admin



A decade ago, Bitcoin felt like the internet in the early ‘90s—niche, experimental, and easy to dismiss. Today? It’s front and center on Capitol Hill.

What began as a decentralized outlier many labeled as fringe is slowly becoming a pillar of America’s economy that many consider the future. People can now invest in Bitcoin through their 401(k)s, IRAs, and brokerage accounts. This year, the U.S. created a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. Roundtables and summits are being hosted at the White House, and pro-Bitcoin positions are showing up in campaign platforms.

That shift wasn’t accidental. Bitcoin gained momentum because its core values—open access, transparency, and distributed control—offered an alternative when public trust in traditional finance was eroding.

A similar pattern is unfolding today with artificial intelligence.

AI Has a Trust Problem

AI is booming, but so are questions about who controls it. If you’re wondering where your data is going when you use a chatbot, who benefits from it, and why you have to surrender your privacy in the first place, you’re not alone.

According to a new Harris poll commissioned by DCG, 74% of U.S. respondents believe AI would benefit more people if it weren’t controlled by just a few big companies and 65% don’t trust elected officials to steer AI’s development. The public loves the potential of AI; they just don’t trust the players in charge.

That trust gap isn’t new, and Bitcoin confronted it head-on with decentralization: when trust in institutions erodes, the answer isn’t more gatekeepers—it’s building systems that don’t require them. Decentralized technologies rebuild trust by removing human intermediaries, who are often prone to bias, error, or self-interest, and eliminating single points of control. By replacing these flawed gatekeepers with transparent, distributed systems, decentralization offers a more reliable and accountable foundation for trust and confidence, rooted in transparency, resilience, and user-aligned governance.

This shift—from human-controlled to technologically decentralized systems—is what makes trust possible again.

Decentralized AI: The Internet of Intelligence

Unlike Big Tech models controlled by centralized entities, decentralized AI (deAI) is built, trained, and operated across a distributed network, preventing any single party from controlling the system. Decentralized AI (deAI) flips the script on traditional AI by putting power in the hands of users, not corporations. Networks like Bittensor (see Note below) are leading the way by enabling open, permissionless access to AI infrastructure where anyone can contribute models, computing power, or data. This approach levels the playing field for students, startups, and independent developers who would otherwise be shut out of today’s centralized AI giants.

Instead of gatekeepers, Bittensor coordinates contributions transparently across a global network, using blockchain to embed trust and reward real value. The result is AI that’s more open, resilient, and fair, where incentives are based on merit, not monopolies.

Voters Are Ahead of Lawmakers on Decentralized AI

While Americans are still in the earlier stage of learning about AI technologies, they can already intuitively anticipate the advantages of decentralized AI.

The Harris poll of 2,000 US adults found:

  • 75% say decentralized AI better supports innovation
  • 71% say it’s more secure for personal data

Three out of four respondents say decentralized AI drives more innovation than closed AI, and 71% believe it offers stronger protection for personal data. What’s missing for consumers using AI is transparency and control, and they want to know they’re not just training someone else’s profit engine.

Policy Can’t Ignore Infrastructure and Ownership

Even with strong public support, the promise of decentralized AI depends on whether policymakers understand a simple fact: the structure of a system determines its behavior and outcomes.However, the regulatory conversation around AI is still catching up, and in many cases, seems to be missing a crucial point. We’re seeing big debates around safety and existential risk, but almost no airtime for how the foundational structure of these systems impacts trust. A centralized model run by a few powerful players is inherently vulnerable, opaque, and exclusionary and will ultimately erode trust. To encourage trust, technological adoption and innovation, policymakers should:

  • Incentivize innovation in open ecosystems
  • Ensure people can benefit from their data
  • Avoid enshrining Big Tech dominance through regulation

The same gatekeepers who shaped today’s AI shouldn’t control its future, especially with the public calling for real alternatives. The current Administration has taken a refreshingly pragmatic approach to AI, prioritizing innovation and American competitiveness over heavy-handed regulation and we hope Congress will do the same. Emphasizing private sector innovation and decentralized development lays the groundwork for a more open and resilient AI future.

It’s Not Fringe. It’s the Future

Decentralized AI is a forward-looking solution to one of the most urgent challenges of our time: how to ensure AI serves the public, not just the powerful. Just as Bitcoin moved from the margins to the mainstream, decentralized AI is quickly becoming the foundation for a more open, secure, and competitive AI ecosystem.

The public gets it. Now policymakers must catch up. The choice is clear: protect open networks, reward real builders, and defend the freedom to innovate—or hand the future of intelligence to a few corporate gatekeepers.

Decentralized AI isn’t fringe. It’s the foundation for a freer, fairer digital future. Let’s not miss the moment.

Note: DCG owns $TAO, the native token of the Bittensor network, and may hold interests in projects built on or supporting Bittensor and other deAI ecosystems.



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TeamGroup T-Create Expert P35S Destroyed Portable SSD
Gaming Gear

This tiny SSD lets you delete your data forever with one click, but can you trust yourself not to misuse it?

by admin



  • TeamGroup P35S SSD can wipe your data permanently and irreversibly with a few clicks
  • Designed for spies, journalists, and execs, this SSD values secrecy over raw performance numbers
  • Accidental erasure is a real concern with hardware that erases data in two simple motions

In a tech landscape where external drives often blur into a sea of similar features and designs, TeamGroup’s new portable SSD takes a sharp detour into espionage territory.

The T-Create Expert P35S Destroyed Portable SSD introduces something previously unheard of in the mainstream consumer market: a one-click data destruction mechanism.

While the concept may sound like something pulled straight from a spy thriller, TeamGroup says the device is intended for professionals who handle sensitive or classified information.


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A self-destruct SSD that promises true data erasure

This external SSD stands out thanks to its patented “physical chip destruction circuit.”

Unlike standard data wipes, this feature claims to electrically destroy the data stored on the drive, making it completely irretrievable.

Triggered by a two-step process TeamGroup calls an “anti-mistouch” system, users must both click and slide to activate the wipe.

It’s not exactly a big red button, but the dramatic undertone is part of the appeal.

The P35S, which weighs just 42 grams and measures 90 x 40 x 18 mm, offers 1,000MB/s transfer speeds via a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port.

This led to the bold “transfer 10GB in just 10 seconds – ready for anything” slogan on TeamGroup’s display at Computex 2025.

While it won’t top charts for the best SSD in terms of performance alone, it offers enough throughput for on-the-go file handling.

What’s most notable is the P35S’s target audience. TeamGroup references users such as journalists, corporate executives, and government officials, people who might need to dispose of confidential data instantly.

“Designed for end-users who carry highly confidential documents, the SSD prevents data breaches and ensures that personal and confidential information remains protected under all circumstances,” the company says.

There’s even a nod toward “defense use,” which, depending on your level of cynicism, could either suggest genuine intent or feel like a PR stretch, especially in light of recent high-profile data mishandling cases.

The SSD’s compact size and data wipe feature make it easy to picture in the hands of an undercover agent or whistleblower.

But in practical terms, it may also raise concerns about accidental erasure, especially for users prone to fidgeting. That’s one reason I’d love to test this device myself.

This isn’t likely to be a top choice for gamers or media creators, but for users who prioritize security over speed, it may offer real value.

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UK wants more crypto user data just as trust in KYC takes new hit
GameFi Guides

UK wants more crypto user data just as trust in KYC takes new hit

by admin



New U.K. rules could mean more data from crypto users, just as a recent leak shows how risky that can be.

Just as a major crypto platform admitted contractors leaked user info, the United Kingdom unveiled strict new rules requiring firms to collect and report detailed personal data on every crypto transaction.

Starting Jan. 1, 2026, crypto firms operating in the U.K. will be expected to keep tabs on just about everything — every customer, every transaction, every movement of crypto. It’s part of the U.K.’s effort to bring transparency — and accountability — to a space long accused of being a bit too shadowy for its own good.

HM Revenue and Customs dropped the news in a May 14 statement, saying crypto firms will need to collect the full name, home address, date of birth, and tax identification numbers of all individual users. Entities like companies, partnerships, and charities are also in the spotlight, with requirements for legal business names, addresses, and company registration numbers.

That includes every transaction, even those just moving crypto between wallets. The rules follow international standards but go further by applying them within the U.K., not just across borders. Firms will be expected to submit reports annually, and those that fall short could face fines of up to £300 (around $398) per user.

Protecting consumers

Authorities say the move is about protecting consumers and creating a more robust regulatory environment. But it’s also clearly aimed at closing tax loopholes and keeping pace with broader global standards, including the European MiCA regulation. As HMRC put it, firms should start preparing now — not in 2026 — to avoid a last-minute scramble.

Mark Aruliah, head of EMEA policy at blockchain analytics firm Elliptic, said in a commentary for crypto.news that the move is an “expected next step” for an industry maturing toward parity with traditional finance.

“Reporting of personal transaction data has historically been a challenge for the industry and for consumers. This clarity on legal obligations to reporting will help and also the growth of new reporting services.”

Mark Aruliah

While Aruliah acknowledged the potential burden on smaller startups, he said the push toward transparency was not only necessary but overdue.

“Any regulation is generally regarded as an additional cost burden to the industry but that has to be balanced against the benefits that it provides. Therefore, it may be that smaller firms are impacted disproportionately based purely on costs (i.e. due to their size and profits), but nevertheless, these obligations are an expected next step and simply look to match the general reporting obligations in the tradfi space.”

Mark Aruliah

But for many critics, the bigger question is not about collecting data. It’s about keeping it safe.

Great responsibility

That concern came into sharp focus as cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase recently confirmed a breach involving customer data. According to the U.S.-based crypto exchange, contractors working for Coinbase overseas were bribed by attackers who gained access to sensitive customer information.

That included names, emails, phone numbers, addresses, and in some cases, partial Social Security numbers. Some users have even reported that ID documents like passports and driver’s licenses were exposed.

Coinbase said the breach affected less than 1% of its user base, though with nearly 9 million monthly active users, even that sliver represents a significant population. Worse still, it’s exactly the kind of personal data the U.K. now wants firms to collect and verify — and the breach raises urgent questions about whether crypto companies are equipped to handle such responsibility.

While Coinbase claims its internal systems caught the breach quickly, blockchain investigator ZachXBT has said signs of trouble were visible much earlier. Back in February, he flagged a string of scams tied to Coinbase’s infrastructure, including one victim who lost $850,000 after being duped by a fake Coinbase support agent.

If the U.K.’s CARF-aligned rules were already in force, the firm could be staring down millions in fines, not to mention reputational damage that’s harder to quantify. Still, the juxtaposition is hard to ignore: the U.K. is telling crypto firms to hoard personal data, just as one of the world’s largest exchanges admits it failed to keep such data safe.



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